The workhorse of the Panzer Divisions serving from 1936 right through to 1967 in the Middle East, the Panzer IV started initially as an infantry support tank armed with the short barrel 7.5cm Assault Gun. As WWII progressed the Panzer IV was up armoured and up gunned, eventually replacing the Panzer III as the main battle tank of the Panzer Divisions.
The Ausf C included only minor changes including a redesigned gun mantlet and an armoured sleeve to protect the coaxial machine gun.